I get it. It's been a rough 30 days.
Things got dark after Ohio State lost to Michigan, at home, in craptacular fashion.
Then things got worse as OSU football's NIL game looked more like NIT game.
Signing day saw Ryan Day and company ink the nation's 6th-best overall class – No. 3 if you go by average player rating – but you'd never know it from reading the comments on Ohio State sites and of course OSU Twitter is always ablaze with takes hotter than Halle Berry in Swordfish.
I'm not here to act as if those concerns and frustrations aren't valid. That said, the fan in me isn't worried so much about the 2023 class itself as I am about the rudderless and polarizing collective with the most notoriety for reasons that aren't positive.
But dammit, it's Christmas and if you make even a small effort, there's plenty in Buckeyeland to be happy about.
First off, I've talked to many fans dreading Ohio State football's date with Georgia in a CFP semifinal.
On some level, I can understand the apprehension in taking on the defending national champs, particularly as the Bulldogs look like a more talented version of Michigan. You know, the Michigan team that smoked Ohio State in the second half, 28-3, in the Shoe no less, to win 45-23 those 30 days ago.
But c'mon. I'd much rather watch Ohio State appear in a game of consequence than a true exhibition game for the second year in a row. Yeah, the Rose Bowl win over Utah was fun as it actually unfolded but there was zero hype before and after. Despite the greatness of the game itself, it faded from relevancy faster than a fart in a dust storm.
I say this as someone who frankly doesn't expect Ohio State to beat Georgia. But I also wasn't all that confident they'd beat Alabama in 2014 or the 'Canes in 2002. Upsets happen. I'd rather pull for that than pretend to give much of a shit about whether the Buckeyes could beat Clemson or whoever in the Orange Bowl or whatever.
Sign me up for watching C.J. Stroud throw it in the neighborhood of 50 times with many of those in the direction of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, only the second duo in OSU history to go for 1,000+ receiving yards in a single-season. Sign me up for seeing if J.T. Tuiomoloau can have a game-breaking performance on a mega-stage.
And hey, if Ohio State pulls off the stunner and beats the Bulldogs to set up a rematch with Michigan, shame on you if that scares you. Push the chips to the center of the table and let's see what happens. Yeah, a second loss this season and a third in a row would be debilitating but holy hell what would a win feel like? Don't be afraid of the stakes. It's just college football.
At the end of the day, Ohio State has an opportunity over 125 other teams would kill for. It may not work out. But at least there's a chance it could. That's something I can appreciate today.
I haven't entered writing about basketball mode yet but I've watched every minute of Chris Holtmann's 2022-23 squad. While I remain firm in my belief his tenure has fallen a bit short of what expectations should be for the program to this point, he's brought in some big-time freshmen worthy of your eyeballs every time out. Those freshmen could be key to taking the program to the heights Holtmann seeks.
Over the summer, freshman Roddy Gayle arrived at Ohio State as the highest-ranked newcomer but fellow newbies Bruce Thornton and Brice Sensabaugh certainly grabbed their share of ink as well.
Eleven games into the season, it's clear Thornton and Sensabaugh are not only a cut above the other freshmen, they are two of the top three or four players on the whole squad.
On a team in need of a floor general, even before Issac Likekele missed multiple games due to a family situation back home, Thornton's fearless play has given the Buckeyes a major boost.
He's averaging 10.6 points per game on 50.6% shooting including 47.2% from deep. That 3-point accuracy is second-best among Buckeyes with at least 20 attempts and his 35 assists lead the team.
Overlapping Likekele's absence, Thornton's reached double figures in each of this last five outings and six of the last eight.
Yes, he needs to tighten his handles and decision-making to cut down on turnovers which will undoubtedly come with experience and maybe an assist from in-game strategy when an opponent deploys a full-court press. Beyond the stats, the eye test shows an unflappable talent with the type of calm head and developing leadership you want from a point guard.
On the wing, Holtmann brought in another budding star in 6-foot-6 scoring machine Brice Sensabaugh. The Orlando, Florida product leads the team in scoring at 15.3 points per game despite only starting three of 11 games and slotting fifth on the team in total minutes played.
He's already developed into Holtmann's go-to scorer with multiple late-game plays drawn up for him to take a shot or when they otherwise have to have a bucket.
Efficient at the offensive end, he's shooting 51.3% from the floor and leads the team with a 48.9% mark from beyond the arc. He's hit at least 50% of his shots in seven of 11 games and he's gone for double figures in 10 of the last 11.
We'll see if these two, along with vets like Zed Key, Justice Sueing and Sean NcNeil can get Ohio State to at least the second weekend of the Dance for the first time since Thad Matta patrolled the sidelines. If Thornton, Sensabaugh and company can keep developing, that won't be entirely unrealistic.
So there you have it. My effort to spread a little positive spirit on this Christmas day. Don't be a Scrooge, what are you appreciative of in the Buckeye stratosphere?
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to dominate my 6-year-old in Connect Four and Trouble - yeah we're going old school - in between trips to the kitchen for excess eating.
Merry Christmas everyone.
